“Critical Real World Experience” Through Externships

Jonathan Blusiewicz is a 3L at William & Mary Law School. He graduated from William & Mary in 2011 with a bachelor’s degree in public policy.

The externships I completed while at William & Mary Law School were both great experiences. I was an extern at the Virginia House of Delegates and at the York County Attorney’s Office. Both externships provided me with critical real world experience unobtainable in the classroom and fortified my resume.

My externship in the Virginia House of Delegates was a particularly fascinating experience. Tracking legislation through a labyrinth of committees was an informative way of learning Virginia’s legislative process. Witnessing legislation take shape in a partisan atmosphere is an experience every law student should have. Addressing the river of constituent communications was a great way to build client interaction skills. The opportunity to work around so many policy makers in such a historical location was also valuable itself.

My externship with the York County Attorney’s Office was also very useful. I was given the opportunity to put the lessons I learned in my family law and youth law classes to work on legal matters concerning the York-Poquoson Department of Social Services. I was also able to work on a whole range of other issues from contracts to taxes. The sheer variety of issues to work on was truly amazing. Most of all I was able to gain lots of practical legal experience, particularly in my legal writing.

Externships offered at William & Mary Law School are definitely worthwhile learning experiences. My education was greatly supplemented by the experience I gained working in both the Virginia House of Delegates and York County Attorney’s Office. Such opportunities are available every semester at William & Mary. Do not let them pass.